Bellator 77 Fight Card

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Round 1The two clinch quickly and though Martinez finds himself on top, he
can't hold Albright down. The pair trade shots to the body in the
clinch before Albright drops his level, throwing Martinez to the
floor momentarily. Martinez quickly regains his feet, and the fight
resumes in the clinch. It's Albright now with double underhooks,
dragging his foe around, belting him to the guts with punches and
knees. Albright with a salvo of knees along the fence to the head,
forcing Martinez to break away. Albright gets right in on a
single-leg, however, sucking his foe to the mat and setting up in
side control. He bangs away on top, sitting in scarf control
dropping rights until the bell rings to end the first.

Albright's hands are lower than round one, and his first shot
attempt is stuffed. He goes back to the well immediately after and
Martinez locks up a standing guillotine, cupping his hands on the
chin and driving his foe back into the fence. He releases the choke
and knees away. When Albright breaks free, he eats a torrent of
punches from Martinez. Martinez gets in a low-single, but Albright
hooks his arm and looks for an armbar for a moment before opting to
just sprawl out. Martinez gets to his feet and Albright is in on
another takedown, and Martinez jumps guard on another guillotine.
Albright escapes, initiating a scramble, then takes Martinez right
back down. The tired Martinez turns his back, letting Albright sink
his hooks and take the back with two minutes to go. Martinez turns
into his foe to escape and Albright bails, sitting off to the side,
going for a bulldog choke.

Martinez gets free and as Albright looks for his leg, locks up a
tight guillotine. He turns Albright over, takes position on the
side and tightens the choke while cranking the neck. The fun
submission finish for Brett Martinez comes at 3:28 of the second
round.

Round 1Bastress quickly clinches looking for a takedown. Sepulveda
sprawls, but Bastress rolls forward into guard, sucking the bout to
the mat. From bottom, the former D3 national wrestling champion
swings for a kneebar, but Sepulveda shuts the attempt down.
Bastress keeps attacking at Sepulveda's legs, eventually shucking
by his arm, whipping him to the mat and landing in top position
along the fence. Bastress gets to half guard and looks for a front
headlock. “The Storm” passes to mount easily, but Sepulveda bucks,
rolls and escapes. Bastress shoots in, Sepulveda tries to isolate
his arm for a kimura, but Bastress explodes out with a parting shot
for good measure. They reset on the feet, and two left roundhouse
kicks to the head crack Bastress. Head kick-left cross from
Sepulveda follows, prompting a Bastress shot, which Sepulveda
stuffs. Sepulveda is cut just under the right eye, and it is
leaking onto his foe's back as he sprawls out on top. He tries to
lock up a kimura and step over Bastress from the top to take the
back, but Bastress sucks his legs out and gets into side control.
Knees to the body land for the Dover, Pa., native until the
horn.

Round 2Bastress feints and walks forward with a massive overhand right.
When Sepulveda kicks in response, he grabs the leg and slams him to
the mat again. Bastress sets up in guard until the upkicking
Sepulveda forces him to reconsider. Upon restanding, Bastress
drives right back in for a takedown, clinching along the cage.
Referee Mario Yamasaki warns Bastress for linking his fingers into
the cage links before separating the two. Bastress follows with a
hard right hook, then takes Sepulveda right back down. Sepulveda
keys in on another kimura from the bottom, but is getting nowhere.
Bastress tries to step over from the top and roll into an armbar,
but opts instead of reaffirm position on top. “The Storm” sets up
in the closed guard of Sepulveda and chips away with punches, but
Mario Yamasaki stands them up after just 15 seconds. They stand up,
but the bell cuts them off.

Bastress steps in on a jab, and the left inside low kick from
Sepulveda strikes him low. Bastress takes a moment to compose
himself, and on the restart, lands a jab-spinning back fist.
Sepulveda kicks in response, sending Bastress shooting into a power
double that plants “Smash” on the floor again. Sepulveda rolls
forward as Bastress goes for mount, finding himself in a
guillotine. Bastress pulls guard, but has one butterfly hook and
Sepulveda clears it, escaping the choke. Bastress re-shoots, and is
stuffed. He tries to pop up and just narrowly blocks a head kick
from Sepulveda. He reshoots, shucking his foe by and showing more
wrestling dominance. Bastress lands a hard right elbow from full
guard. Referee Mario Yamasaki again the stands the fighters up on a
whim.

Bastress shoots in on a low single, and Sepulveda squats on him,
hammerfisting the side of the head. Yamasaki warns Sepulveda for
hitting the back of the head even though the blows are clearly
legal. Just before the horn, Bastress rolls through and completes a
single, ending up on top at the horn.

Official result: Judge Greg Monskie has it 29-28 Bastress
while Brent Colflesh has a hard-to-reckon 29-28 Sepulveda. Deciding
judge Kings Kao has it 29-28 for the winner by split decision,
Duane Bastress.

Round 1Bannon fights off an early takedown from Alexandre and shoots for a
takedown of his own. Alexandre easily avoids the attempt and the
two fighters meet again in the canter of the cage. Alexandre goes
for a quick single but is reversed by Bannon who works for a
single-leg of his own. The fighters reach a stalemate against the
cage. Bannon then wraps the other leg for a double-leg takedown but
is again stymied. Alexnadre shoves his opponents head down and then
reaches for a kimura which awkwardly ties up Bannon's left arm for
a minute. Finally Bannon drags his foe to the ground but Alexandre
is again up to his feet. He wriggles free and Bannon ends up on his
back. A few kicks are thrown before referee Keith Peterson moves
both fighters to their feet. Bannon drives for another single leg
against the cage and Alexandre beats on his head with hammerfists
in response. He pulls away from Bannon and lands a quick right hand
to the face of his grounded opponent.

Alexandre begins stalking his opponent and throws a left side kick.
Bannon dives for a single and Alexandre attempts a rather non
threatening Anaconda choke. Bannon finally drags him to the ground
and immediately passes from side control, into mount and is swiftly
bucked by Alexandre. The fighters stand up and once again the
hometown favorite Bannon drives for a single leg takedown.
Alexandre pushes him away and then attacks with a push kick
followed by a right straight. Their knees meet in dual kick
attempts and Bannon flops to his back. Peterson is having none of
it and stands them up. Alexandre is heating up as he stalks his
opponent throwing leg kicks. Bannon responds with a takedown but is
easily thwarted. Bannon catches a kick and his foe falls to the
ground. He immediately returns to his feet and lands a knee on
Bannon's chest.

Bannon flops to his back and Alexandre walks away. He dives for
another takedown against the cage and Alexandre shoves him to the
ground. The round ends in a stalemate.

Both men come out feinting. Brooks pumps his jab, but to no avail.
Brooks lets loose a lazy right hand and Horcher is all over him
with a massive left hook counter. Brooks is stunned and as he
falls, he is crushed with a powerful uppercut from Horcher. Horcher
races over his supine opponent, but shows self control in not
throwing a massive coffin nail down on his unconscious foe. Referee
Mario Yamasaki steps in at just the 21-second mark. Brooks stays
down while the official decision is read, and is eventually taken
from the cage on a stretcher. Sensational knockout for Darrell
Horcher.
Round 1Polley comes out guns blazing throwing left right comibinations and
dropping his head. Marrero follows up with a combination of his own
that backs his foe against the fence. Polley throws a big left hook
that grazes the side of Marrero's face. A quick jab backs up
Marrero. He fires back with a left hook that lands flush to the
face. Polley throws a right leg kick that doesn't even faze his
opponent. Polley responds with a flurry but is pushed away by
Marrero. Marrero throws a hard right straight but Polley ducks out
of the way to avoid it. Polley slips and Marrero jumps on his back.
Polley using his strength to regain his feet and Marrero
transitions to a double leg before bailing altogether. Polley
counters a left hand with one of his own. Polley ducks a wild right
hand and drives for a takedown. Marrero momentarily tries a
guillotine but bails before the bell.

Round 2The two fighters are breathing out of their mouths to start the
second round. Marrero snaps Polley's head back with one-two combo.
Polley throws a left hand to the body. Marrero responds with a weak
leg kick. A stiff jab backs up Polley. Marrero rushes in but Polley
peppers him with punches to the head. Marrero throws a right
straight that backs up Polley and Polley bullrushes him. He is
easily shucked and the two again throw leather. Polley again
punishes the body with no response. Marrero rushes with a
combination but no punches land. He throws a head kick which is
ducked but follows with a jab that lands to Polley's face. Polley
lands an uppercut followed by a right straight. Again, Polley goes
to the body. Polley is stalking Marrero with single punches to the
face and body. Another body shot and Marrero takes a big breath in
response. Marrero throws a push kick and the round ends.

Marrero slaps Polley and Polley follows up with a left hook. Polley
is looking strong to the body and follows up with two punches to
the head of his foe. Polley catches a leg kick and bullrushes with
a right hand to the face. Polley is quicker to the punch this round
and lands two quick jabs. The fans are calling for a takedown from
Marrero as Polley bullrushes again with a combination that lands to
the head. Polley throws a left right combo that snaps the head of
his foe. Polley slips and Marrero refuses to follow. They meet in
the center of the cage and Marrero lands a snappy jab. The pace
slows as both fighters are visibly tired. Polley counters a jab
with a left hand that lands flush. Polley misses with a left hook
and follows up with a fastball right hand just before the final
bell.

Round 1Both men probe with early jabs, but Nazare drops levels and gets a
quick single. He can't keep Tirloni down, however, and his fellow
Brazilian hops back up and starts working on a standing guillotine.
Tirloni turns Nazare into the cage with his headlock, kneeing to
the head and body. They disengage and throw wild punches, a Tirloni
left being the best punch that lands. An awkward flying knee from
Tirloni lands, but he can't land the follow-up takedown he seeks.
Nazare then looks for a takedown and gets another single, but once
more, Tirloni pops right back up. Tirloni swims to the Thai clinch
and lands a volley of knees. Nazare pushes forward for a takedown
and eats another knee as Tirloni briefly slips. They clinch along
the cage again. They separate and Tirloni lands a long, awkward
left hook. Nazare pushes him to the fence, but again, Tirloni gets
underhooks and turns his fellow Brazilian back into the cage.
Tirloni very active with knees to the body. When they separate, the
orthodox Tirloni again leads with the left hook and lands,
prompting Nazare to re-initiate the clinch. As the 10-second
clapper goes, Nazare lands two good punches but can't capitalize
before the bell.

Round 2The two are more aggressive with punches early and a big left hook
from Nazare has Tirloni on his heels. Tirloni doesn't stop
swinging, however, and the long-armed swinging pays off, as a wild
counter right hook rocks Nazare. Tirloni dives onto a front
headlock and tries to lock it up before adjusting his grip to a
brabo choke very smartly. Nazare tries to move his legs and hold
Tirloni's position, but Tirloni clears his body, bases out and
finishes the choke. Just as Nazare taps out, it appears he falls
unconscious into the arms of referee Keith Peterson. The end comes
officially at 1:14 of the second round. Ricardo Tirloni is the
first man to advance to the semifinals of Bellator's Season 7
lightweight tournament.

Round 1Held starts the fight in high-flying fashion with a jumping
switch-step head kick. The strike grazes Machaev and forces a brief
clinch. Held wades forward pumping his jab, but each time he gets
close, Machaev uncoils a heavy power shot and forces him to
retreat. Held just glances with an ugly one-two. Machaev just
circling away and seemingly feeling his foe out. A spinning back
kick for Held just comes up short. Held finally corners Machaev
along the fence and unloads a one-two that Machaev literally tries
to run away from. Held lands, grabs his foe and sucks him to the
mat. Muraev scoots up the fence to get up, but Held lands some
knees on the way up before he breaks free. Held walks Machaev down
again, corks him with another spinning back fist, then shoots in on
a double-leg. Machaev stuffs it, but Held keeps him on his knees,
up against the fence, then drags him from the waist to the mat.
Realizing the round is expiring, Held dives for the back, then a
leg before the bell.

Round 2Held pursues Machaev again before landing a hard left and shooting
for the takedown. Held can't get him down, so he tries to grapevine
the leg and roll back for a leglock, but bails. Held stands and
looks for superior position in the clinch, but Machaev fights off
the cage. Machaev lands a hard right on the approaching Held. Held
shoots in once more and is rebuffed, getting tagged on the way out.
Held again punches to the clinch, but Machaev turns him around this
time and nearly smashes him with a wild uppercut. Held is breathing
deeply now and Machaev is starting to come forward, though he's not
landing notable offense. Held bursts forward before turning his
back and somersaulting into a leglock attempt a la Masakazu
Imanari. Machaev blocks it, but Held nearly goes over the top to
take his back. They take their feet again, and Machaev lands a wild
one-two that dings the Pole. Held throws an awkward one-two but
whiffs. Machaev returns with a right of his own. Held goes for
another spinning back kick, but finds only air before the bell.

Both men look tired, winging arm-weary punches as the final round
begins. A spinning back fist for Held whizzes wide. Held shoots in
once again, but Machaev simply shucks him off and waits for him to
stand again. Both men putting jabs out there, but neither can seem
to muster a hard, clean power strike. Machaev is aggressive with
lunging lead lefts, but hitting just air. With 60 seconds to go, it
is anyone's round, just begging to be won. Jab-uppercut for Machaev
glances, and Held responds with a jab and a leg kick. Spinning back
kick for Held again misses, as does his follow up spinning back
fist. The bell ends a third round full of waiting.

Official result: All three judges -- Brent
Colflesh, Brad Duruttya and Kings Kao -- score the bout 29-28 for
the winner by unanimous decision, Marcin Held. Held advances to the
semifinals of the Bellator Season 7 lightweight tournament.

Round 1Saaduaev throws a leg kick which whiffs and follows up with a push
kick. Another push kick lands and Jansen stalks him down. The
Dagstani drives for a takedown and ends up in a guillotine. He
wriggles his neck out but Jansen scrambles his way to his feet.
Saadulaev maintains control of his back and the Dagestani pushes
him back to the mat. Jansen once again works his way to his feet
and Saadulaev grabs his neck for a guillotine of his own. He flips
Jansen and he ends up on his back but Saadulaev immediately
scrambles to take his back. Jansen tries to flip him but Saadulaev
rides his back with a back cruicifix He switches to north-south
position and works for and inverted triangle but Jansen flips him
over and ends up in side control. Awesome scrambles. He moves to
mount and Saadulaev works his way to his feet, tagging Jansen in
the process. Saadulaev mocks Jansen by putting his hands at his
hips and then dives for a takedown. Jansen tries to lock in a
guillotine but the round ends as Saadulaev works to his feet.

Round 2The “USA! USA!” chants are loud and clear here, as the American
Jansen comes out throwing a push kick. A wild right hand tags
Jansen. Saadulaev drives for a takedown but Jansen sprawls and
stuffs the attempt. A stiff jab stuns the Dagastani for a moment.
Again the Saadulaev drives for a takedown and again he is stuffed.
Jansen is beginning to heat up throwing jabs. A big left hand
drives Jansen to the mat for a moment but he stands back up.
Saadulaev's hands are at his hips and Jansen takes down his foe. In
half guard, Saadulaev works for a kimura from bottom but Jansen
continues to advance position and works for an arm-triangle choke.
He holds it from full guard for a moment but the Dagastani is
nonplussed. Jansen postures up and rains down a three massive right
hands to the face of Saadulaev. He gets into a rhythm and lands
more blows to the face of his opponent. He lands a big back fist
and the round ends with heavy Jansen ground-and-pound.

Round 3Saadulaev is clearly gassed and drives for a desperation takedown
almost immediately. Jansen locks up a tight guillotine and then
pulls full guard, sensing his opportunity. The Dagastani has run
out of gas and is forced to tap out as Jansen strains on the choke.
The end comes 41 seconds into the final round, giving Dave Jansen
passage into the Bellator Season 7 lightweight tournament
semifinals.

Round 1Sarnavskiy immediately walks Clementi down, attacking with low
kicks. A hard spinning back kick from the Russian backs Clementi
up, and a hard spinning back fist lands to follow. Clementi shoots
in a takedown and referee Mario Yamasaki warns Sarnavskiy about
grabbing the fence. Clementi gets him at the waist and hops onto
his back, sinking his hooks to back standing back control. “Tiger”
leans forward, trying to shake Clementi off over the top. The
veteran from Louisiana stays glued to his back, however, attacking
with right hands and trying to get the Russian's balance to falter.
Clementi gets wrist control on Sarnavskiy, then hammerfists with
the other arm. With a minute to go, Clementi is back working for
the rear-naked choke. Finally, with some 30 seconds to go, Clementi
slips it under Sarnavskiy's neck and the Russian falls to his back.
He gets it off his neck, but Clementi sinks it back in.
Sarnavskiy's face is purple, but he refuses to tap and hears the
bell. Incredible toughness to survive by Sarnavskiy.

Round 2Sarnavskiy's aggression has gone nowhere, as he opens up the second
round with more aggressive kicking. However, Clementi gets him to
the cage, sucks his legs out and sets up shop on top. Clementi
immediately tries to pass over both legs into full mount, but winds
up in half guard instead. Sarnavskiy again tries to roll, exposes
his back and Clementi sinks his hooks in. This time, Sarnavskiy
can't stand up, and he's trapped on the ground with Clementi, both
hooks in. From the back, the UFC veteran peppers Sarnavskiy on both
sides, controlling his wrists and looking for an opportunity to
choke him. Sarnavskiy finally turns into his foe, winding up in
Clementi's guard with a minute left in the second stanza. The
Russian postures up and drops a stream of right hands before
settling into guard. With 25 seconds to go and Clementi working an
active guard, Mario Yamasaki stands them up. Clementi is
immediately hit with a spinning back fist and follow up kick.
Sarnavskiy claims top on a scrambling Clementi before the bell.

Sarnavskiy opens with hard, rangy punches. He backs Clementi up
with a one-two and an awkward right drops Clementi to the mat. The
veteran quickly rolls to Sarnavskiy's legs in pursuit of a leglock.
Clementi looks for a kneebar, then switches to a toehold, but
Sarnavskiy limplegs out and gets into Clementi's guard. Clementi
looks for a kimura from the bottom but Sarnavskiy bases down and
gets to half guard. Sarnavskiy lands some idle busywork to the head
and body while Clementi shifts from side to side in pursuit of a
submission. Referee Mario Yamasaki stands them up again with just
under two minutes to go. Clementi shoots in quickly, pulls guard,
then tries to sweep Sarnavskiy. The Russian instead stands ground
and pounds in Clementi's guard before allowing him to stand again.
Clementi is hit with a spinning back fist, then essentially
buttscoots, looking to suck his foe to the mat. With a minute to
fight, Sarnavskiy likely needs a knockout to win. The Russian
attacks with another spinning back fist, prompting another Clementi
flop. The Russian comes to the ground, only to be quickly swept.
Clementi rolls through to top position, but Sarnavskiy locks up a
loose triangle before the final bell.

Official result: Judge Brent Colflesh sees it
29-28 for Clementi, while Kings Kao reckons it 29-28 for
Sarnavskiy. Deciding judge Brad Duruttya sees it 29-28 for the
winner by split decision and advancing to the semifinals of the
Bellator Season 7 lightweight tournament, Rich Clementi.

Round 1Lozano comes out in a crouched stance as the fighters size each
other up for a moment. Morgan drives for a quick takedown and moves
into full guard. Lozano keeps his legs high and Morgan sits in
guard inactively. Finally he shucks the legs and moves to
sidecontrol but his foe immediately squirms back into full guard.
Morgan lands a few quick elbows to the face and Lozano grabs his
wrists. Morgan pulls his hands away and lands a few punches to the
body. Lozano moves into rubber guard, looking to attack an arm.
Morgan continues to pound on his body and face with short punches.
He postures up and again lands short punches to the face of his
foe. Lozano covers up as he begins to feel the effects of the
blows. Morgan's face is now split open and bleeding from a glancing
elbow. Lozano moves his legs high and threatens with a triangle but
Morgan wriggles out of the attempt. Referee Mario Yamasaki calls in
the doctor to look at Morgan's cut. The doctor gives the OK and on
the restart, Lozano lands a big right that staggers his opponent.
In the ensuing scramble, Lozano tries to lock in a triangle but the
round ends.

Round 2Morgan comes out swinging and lands two big right hands to the face
of Lozano. He presses forward, shoots and gets Lozano to the mat.
Morgan lands short punches as Lozano works a high guard, looking
for submissions. Lozano keeps attacking Morgan's cut with his
elbows. Lozano grabs an arm and slowly works his legs around the
head of his foe to try to straighten it out but Morgan squeezes his
way out and moves into side control. But Lozano is slick and moves
his legs up around Morgan's neck for an inverted triangle as he
passes. Morgan tries to wriggle free but he realizes he's trapped.
The fantastic submission victory for Lozano comes at 2:28 of the
second frame.
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